Paris Bennett

Paris Bennett--that's Princess P to you--has high hopes for her singing career despite getting booted from "American Idol" on Wednesday night. "I am definitely working on an album once the 'American Idol' tour is over," she told reporters, according to people.com. "I will be going back on another tour to promote my album." Responding to rumors about joining forces with Beyonce's dad, Bennett said, "it can't really be confirmed, but I can say Matthew Knowles is definitely a person that I'd love to work with."

Taylor Hicks, the 2006 "American Idol," can't come close to matching the CD sales of either Chris Daughtry or Kellie Pickler, whom TV viewers rejected that season. But the "Idol" title does open doors, and Hicks is proving to be a careerist. He's currently starring in a six-month road tour as Teen Angel in "Grease" while playing clubs. What's your new album like? I'm really excited about it. There are some really great story songs on the record. I co-wrote most of the material.

The last time most of us saw Kevin Covais, he was a scrawny 16-year-old running the gauntlet of Simon, Paula and Randy on "American Idol" in 2006. He sang Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" well enough to make it to Hollywood, and America came to know him as Chicken Little, a nickname given him by castmate Paris Bennett. What's he been doing since then? The 19-year-old is making his film debut in the comedy "College," opening Friday. The R-rated movie focuses on three high...

Ace Young, who was no stranger to the threat of elimination on "American Idol" but had one of his most impressive outings this week, is gone. This, after Simon Cowell, his most ardent heckler, called his rendition of "That's All" "charming." With the seven finalists singing American classics, Paris Bennett and Chris Daughtry seemed to turn in two of the strongest performances. But they found themselves with Young in the bottom three Wednesday. Young, 25, didn't appear sad or...

Hope my "recognition" misses? If Melissa McGhee meant recognition of the right lyrics to Stevie Wonder's "Lately," then yeah, she missed it. But here's a premonition (the correct word): She may be forgiven. Her "American Idol" cohorts should give her plenty of company on Wednesday night's chopping block as nerves took over on the stage Tuesday night. Hottie Ace Young was lukewarm. Bumpkin Kellie Pickler was only good for a few yucks. And Simon Cowell failed to see the "wow factor" in Elliott Yamin.

Paris Bennett--that's Princess P to you--has high hopes for her singing career despite getting booted from "American Idol" on Wednesday night. "I am definitely working on an album once the 'American Idol' tour is over," she told reporters, according to people.com. "I will be going back on another tour to promote my album." Responding to rumors about joining forces with Beyonce's dad, Bennett said, "it can't really be confirmed, but I can say Matthew Knowles is definitely a person that I'd love to work with."

Mandisa tried her best to fight back the tears, but she must have wondered, "Why me?" This is what happens when bad country happens to good singers. The power diva's rendition of "Any Man of Mine" on Tuesday's "American Idol" was tepid and shaky at best, and judge Simon Cowell called it "horrible." The country genre tripped up several contestants that night. Elliott Yamin and Paris Bennett joined Mandisa in the bottom three vote-getters Wednesday after nearly 35...

The Pickler has been canned. That was the result of 47.5 million votes on Wednesday night's "American Idol." Kellie Pickler's partner at the bottom was Paris Bennett. The Albemarle, N.C., teen played the country cutie to the end: "I'm glad to be here, but I know I won't be here much longer 'cause the commercial's comin'!" Meanwhile, in another "Idol" soap opera, host Ryan Seacrest and the judges talked about reported unrest between them. Simon Cowell asked Seacrest and judge...

The Pickler has been canned. That was the result of 47.5 million votes on Wednesday night's "American Idol." Kellie Pickler's partner at the bottom was Paris Bennett. The Albemarle, N.C., teen played the country cutie to the end: "I'm glad to be here, but I know I won't be here much longer 'cause the commercial's comin'!" Meanwhile, in another "Idol" soap opera, host Ryan Seacrest and the judges talked about reported unrest between them. Simon Cowell asked Seacrest and judge...

The last time most of us saw Kevin Covais, he was a scrawny 16-year-old running the gauntlet of Simon, Paula and Randy on "American Idol" in 2006. He sang Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" well enough to make it to Hollywood, and America came to know him as Chicken Little, a nickname given him by castmate Paris Bennett. What's he been doing since then? The 19-year-old is making his film debut in the comedy "College," opening Friday. The R-rated movie focuses on three high...

Ace Young, who was no stranger to the threat of elimination on "American Idol" but had one of his most impressive outings this week, is gone. This, after Simon Cowell, his most ardent heckler, called his rendition of "That's All" "charming." With the seven finalists singing American classics, Paris Bennett and Chris Daughtry seemed to turn in two of the strongest performances. But they found themselves with Young in the bottom three Wednesday. Young, 25, didn't appear sad or...

She was touted as the next William Hung, Mary Roach or Leroy Wells. But they were at least endearing in their creepiness. "American Idol" reject Rhonetta Johnson was just plain foul-mouthed Tuesday night. Rhonetta talked a big game but couldn't brave more than a couple of squeaky verses. Then she launched into a tirade about judge Paula Abdul's age, talent and germs (yes, germs), finally settling on the memorable line, "Bow down, [bleep]!" "Idol's" parade o' misfits was in rare form with the...

Mandisa tried her best to fight back the tears, but she must have wondered, "Why me?" This is what happens when bad country happens to good singers. The power diva's rendition of "Any Man of Mine" on Tuesday's "American Idol" was tepid and shaky at best, and judge Simon Cowell called it "horrible." The country genre tripped up several contestants that night. Elliott Yamin and Paris Bennett joined Mandisa in the bottom three vote-getters Wednesday after nearly 35...

Taylor Hicks, the 2006 "American Idol," can't come close to matching the CD sales of either Chris Daughtry or Kellie Pickler, whom TV viewers rejected that season. But the "Idol" title does open doors, and Hicks is proving to be a careerist. He's currently starring in a six-month road tour as Teen Angel in "Grease" while playing clubs. What's your new album like? I'm really excited about it. There are some really great story songs on the record. I co-wrote most of the material.

Hope my "recognition" misses? If Melissa McGhee meant recognition of the right lyrics to Stevie Wonder's "Lately," then yeah, she missed it. But here's a premonition (the correct word): She may be forgiven. Her "American Idol" cohorts should give her plenty of company on Wednesday night's chopping block as nerves took over on the stage Tuesday night. Hottie Ace Young was lukewarm. Bumpkin Kellie Pickler was only good for a few yucks. And Simon Cowell failed to see the "wow factor" in Elliott Yamin.

I just read Phillip Thompson's "AI" predictions ("Idol-ology," Tuesday cover story). As an avid "Idol" watcher, I'd have to mostly agree with him. Mostly. The bottom three (Melissa, Kevin and Bucky) are easy outs, while the top three (Ace, Katharine and Chris) are also my personal favorites. But give Mandisa some more credit; we let Rubin win, and Mandisa is a lot better looking than he was! The exit order of the remaining contestants will come down to one thing: consistency!